KEPALA BATAS: A man was found hanged in a suspected suicide at the Seberang Perai Utara police headquarters’ lock-up here, on Friday.
The 29-year-old inmate was under remand for seven days after being arrested on Wednesday, along with his 38-year-old friend, in Kampung Perlis, Butterworth.
Their case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“The man was placed in a cell with six other detainees.
“He was found hanging from (bars) at about 4am on Friday by a prisoner (who had awoken from sleep), who then alerted the police. During the incident, all the other inmates were asleep,” Seberang Prai Utara police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said.
He added that the body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital and that the pathologist found no criminal element in the death. According to the medical expert, there were no external injuries on the man’s body.
Noorzainy said that the cell had a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and that police are now investigating the footage from various angles.
“Police are conducting a thorough internal investigation of the incident to see if there are elements of negligence.
“I request the public not to speculate or spread incorrect information. Let us conduct a detailed investigation first,” he said.
Noorzainy revealed that the man, who worked as a gravedigger, had tested positive for drugs and had a police record.
Meanwhile, the man’s family has lodged a police report asking for an investigation into the death.
“I guarantee that the police will conduct a fair investigation and will take firm action in case of negligence or criminal conduct,” Noorzainy said.
In addition to recording the statements of six prisoners who were in the cell with the man at the time, police also took statements from his father and elder brother to facilitate the investigation, he added.